Dassault Aviation is open to new partnerships for a future combat aircraft after the collapse of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, a joint Franco-German-Spanish endeavor to build a new-generation fighter. Earlier this month, Germany and France scrapped the core fighter element of the program following persistent industrial disputes, primarily between Dassault and Airbus over workshare and leadership. Dassault's CEO, Eric Trappier, stated that while the company could develop the fighter independently, akin to its Rafale program after exiting Eurofighter in the 1980s, cooperation remains an option.
Trappier indicated that potential partners for a next-generation fighter would not necessarily have to be European, leaving open the question of working with non-European entities. Sweden's Saab has been frequently mentioned by analysts as a potential partner, although no official discussions have been announced. Trappier also mentioned Dassault's existing relationship with the UAE as an example of a potential non-European partnership. Airbus is, however, also reportedly courting Saab for its own combat aircraft program.
As a potential "plan B" to the abandoned FCAS, Trappier suggested developing a "Super Rafale," a more advanced version of France's current fighter, which he believes would cost less than the "massive combat aircraft" envisioned for FCAS to fly in 2035. While France and Germany plan to continue developing the "combat cloud" architecture from FCAS, Trappier expressed skepticism about the concept. He also accused Airbus of attempting to remove Dassault from the Eurodrone project and sought compensation from them.
France and Germany have since agreed to pursue separate sixth-generation aircraft. Dassault will develop France's jet, supported by more than $4 billion allocated to the Rafale F5 standard, with aircraft expected in the early 2040s. Airbus will lead Germany's program, with Spain's continued involvement, and aims for a similar production timeline. The collapse of FCAS highlighted irreconcilable differences, with Trappier consistently demanding the lead role and rejecting equal footing with Airbus, despite a reported personal appeal from Chancellor Merz.
FCAS, launched in 2017 with an estimated price tag of approximately $100 billion, was intended to be Europe's flagship sixth-generation combat air program. The "combat cloud" element, designed to link aircraft, drones, and satellites into a single digital system, is still being pursued by France and Germany. Even as discussions continue, external partners like Belgium had already diversified their defense plans by funding an Airbus-Indra study into its own combat air system and ordering additional F-35A jets.
